The IBMA was founded in 1985 and is mostly focused on connecting, educating and empowering the bluegrass community. The IBMA Foundation (formerly The Foundation for Bluegrass Music) exists to support bluegrass “activities of public benefit.”

Both organizations are apparently preserving their boards, although according to a statement they “foresee a closer relationship with increased alignment and coordination.”

A statement says the foundation will benefit from IBMA’s infrastructure to facilitate joint fundraising, and the IBMA will now be able to to receive charitable contributions from donors, who can claim tax deductions.

“Bluegrass music is our shared passion, and now it’s easier for each member of our community to participate in successfully funding the efforts of the association on behalf of our membership, and the programming encouraged and supported by the Foundation,” IBMA chair Joe Mullins said in a statement.